Sleeve ironer



May 15, l945A- R. A. ROBBEL 2,375,947

SLEEVE IRONER Filed Feb. 3, 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet l if/2%# v fw# @yf May 15 l945 R. A. ROBBEL 2,375,947

' SLEEVE RONER Filed Feb. 3, 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 M651 35 1945- R. A. RoBBl-:L 2,375,947

SLEEVE IRONER Filed Feb. 5, 1940 4 sheets-Sheet s May E5 l945 R. A. RoBBr-:L 2,375,947

SLEEVE IRONER Filed Feb. 3, 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 77;/ ff f@ wf WM5 Patented May l5, 19445 STATI-:s PATENT orrics I SLEEVE IRONER Richard Albert Robbel, Chicago, Ill.

Application February 3, 1940, Serial No. 317,050

8 Claims.

'I'his invention relates to-ironing machines and particularly to a shirt sleeve ironer as adapted for use in commercial laundries.

The ironing of shirt sleeves has always been a. rather troublesome operation in laundries. The wide variations in size and sleeve structure present problem that heretofore have escaped satis- 'factory solution. t will be appreciated that whereas garment manufacturers can provide equipment to lt various particular types and sizes of garments, because of the many garments standardized sizes and structure, the commercial laundry must have very ilexible equipment to handle a wide variety of such garments from various garment manufacturers.

The present conventional method of ironing 'the sleeves of shirts involves merely drawing the sleeves over a tapered heated boot which dries e sleeves hut does not leave them smoothly shed. The reason for this is that the nap-like eres oi the cloth are not pressed flat but are extended outwardly hy the radiation of'steam as the sleeves are dried. This point is readily diseerned "ny astidious customers who object both to the appearance of' the sleeves and the fact that such sleeves 'with upstanding nap more readily pick up dirt and become soiled. This method is also hard on shirt sleeves and many torn sleeves result from pulling sleeves too snugly over tapered hosts. resulting in splits and tears when shirts shrink when heing dried. Further, method requires extra hand operations on the gussets, pleats and tucks near the cud.

.s newer method involves sliding the shirt sleeves over a padded tapered buck and applying a heated shoe. However, this usually requires three operations or lays and is almost as expensive in labor as the older hand ironing method.

The particular object ci this invention is to 'provide a sleeve ironer which will readily iit a wide variety of shirts and rapidly and effectively iron the shirt sleeves inside and out.

.another object is to provide in such la sleeve ironer means whereby the sleeves may he ironed with the least damage to the shirt and with the greatest economy ci labor.

sleeve ironer with one sleeve being ironed between the shoe and buck and the other sleeve applied to the form ready for insertion between a dual shoe and buck;

Fig. 2 is a rear elevational view of ironer as shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a top plan view;

Fig. 54" is an enlarged broken cross sectional view showing the shoe and buck as it would appear on the section lines i-d of Fig.' i

Fig. 5 is a broken side elevational view of the adjustable form or boot over which the sleeves are ironed;

Fis. 6 is a transverse cross sectional view of the sleeve iorm as it would appear on the section lines 6 6 of Fig. 5;

Figf'i is an enlarged elevation view of the cuil my sleeve clamp which I employ in ironing sleeves, as will later be explained; and

Fig. 8 is a side elevation view of the cui clamp shown in Fig. 7.

Now referring to the drawings and at the outset particularly to Figs. 1, 2, and 3, I provide a' base plate le irom which rises dual vertical tubular support members li and i2 connected by a pair of horizontal tubular members i3. Mounted on the rear tubular members il, as clearly shown in Fig. 2, is a buck bracket le. This memoer le includes a tapered hollow shell to which steam is introduced through a pipe, not shown,

at il. Mounted on each side of the buch are resilient pads, including a very ne meshed wire cover i5 supported outward by conventional springpadding means it. it will be appreciated that by this structure I have provided a resilient heated buck pad with a very une smooth surface, as provided by the :lne wire cover is which, although functioning as a resilient buck, at the same time eectively irons fabric when held in pressure relationship with it.

Now referring to Figs. 2, 3, and 4, it will be observed that I mount hinged arms i8 and le through suitable openings in the buck bracket le and hinged on pins 20 and 2l. These hinged arms are normally held outward by the tensionl hingedcasting 23' supportedby the pin 2t, while the other exid is pivotally attached to the arm i9 by the pin 25. as clearly shown in ig.' 2. Similarly, the toggle lever 24 is attached to the hinged arm i8 by the pin 26.

The arms le and IQ are actuated mdependent- 1y through conventional lever and link mechanism 28 and 30 and 21 and 29. These foot levers are actuated by the operator stepping on either the foot pads 3| and 32 and either will be locked in downward pressure position by conventional toe release mechanism 34. 'This type of mechansm is well known in the art, and it is believed that with the above brief explanation my foot lever mechanism to actuate the hinged arms I8 and I9 will be well understood.

Now referring to Fig. 4, it will be observed that I mount a conventional shoe 36 faced with a plate 36' to provide a hollow shoe member to be heated by steam through an opening 4I as is well understood in the art. This' shoe is mounted on the arm I8 by a ilexible mounting provided by the cap screws 36, the springs 33 and the ball joint 40.

'I'he shoe 31 is mounted in a similar manner on the arm I9.

It will be observed that I provide a tapered opening between the central buck I4 and shoes 36 and 31. 'I'he purpose of this is to prevent any disarrangement of the shirt sleeve as it enters the opening and also to provide a structure which permits the movement of the shirt sleeves through the same foot lever. that actuates the shoes. as will later be explained.

Now referring to Fig. 1, I mount the sleeve forms R and L pivotally from the base I through dual spring rods 42 and 43. 'I'he purpose of the dual spring rods is to provide a flexible mounting which will permit the sleeve to engage the buck and shoe without straining the sleeve form mounting mechanism.

Attached to each of thedual spring rods 42 and 43 is a clamp bracket 44 which in turn is attached to the foot lever 29 or 30 by the slidable link 45, the compression spring 46, and the pin 41. lever 30 has been locked downward by the toe latch 34 holding the sleeve on the form R between the buck and the shoe in press ironing relationship. To explain the operation of this link mechanism, when the operator steps on the foot pad.32, the sleeve form R is immediately actuated forward to the position shown by means of the tension spring 46 and the sleeve form R will be quickly brought to astop against the rubber stop 48 attached to the vshirt support table 50. At the same time the lever 30 through the link 28 and the toggle mechanism 24 is closing the opening between the shoe 36 and the buck pad l5. However, because of the tapered opening between the shoe and buck, as previous/- lyexplained, the sleeve on the form -R readily enters the opening and arrives in proper position before the buck and shoe close together in press ironing relationship. On reverse movement` of the foot lever by the tension of the spring 22, when the operator removes his foot from the foot pad thereof, the sleeve form ls returned to the forward position against the rubber stop 43 and held in fixed forward position by the closed relationship of the slidable'link 45. It will be appreciated that slotted openings are provided in the lshirt support shelf 50 to permit the above described movement of the sleeve forms. It will further be observed that the shirt support shelf 50 is arcuately formed from the pivot center of the form arms to permit the shirt to readily slide over the support with a minimum of disturbance.'

Now vreferring to Figs. and 6, I `show the sleeve form R wherein a base casting 5l 4is sup- In the position as shown, the foot ported on the spring rods 42. Fixed to the base 5I is one section of the form 52 and slidably mounted in the base 5I on rollers 55 is the adjustable form member 53. The member 53 is normally held outward by the compression spring 54 in the base 5I and a tubular spring member at the-top c )insisting of the tube 56, the telescoping tube 51, and the compression spring 6I, the assembly as a whole being pivotally mounted between the forms 52 and 53 by pins 53 and 53. By referring to Fig. 6 it will be observed that I taper the inner edges of the forms as shown at 52' and 53. This is to provide as flat as possible contact with the shirt sleeve, as will later be explained in further detail. By this form structure it will be appreciated that when a shirt sleeve is inserted over the form the adjustable member 53 will be urged outward by the spring means, as explained, and the shirt sleeve properly smoothed and tensioned on the forms 52 and 53. This'tensionng will naturally not be effective at' the cuff section of the sh'irt from the opening of the placket. Inasmuch as it is my purpose to iron the sleeve complete up to the cuff, I must now provide means to properly tension this section of the shirt sleeve in position. This I do by manually drawing the sleeve in proper tension relationship and holding it in position by my hand clamp C over the tubular sections 51 and 60. The hand clamp C is composed of dual tong members 62-64,'and 6I-63 pivoted on a central member I provide two sizes of arcuate clamp jaws 61 and '66 to properly clamp the cuff over the two tubular members 56 and 51. Proper bite for this clamp is provided by compression springs 66 between the handles 65.

It will be appreciated that when I have clamped the cuff securely in position, the shirt sleeve may be drawn downward to lay the cloth in perfect position to be ironed while being tensioned flatly in that position by the adjustment member 53. By observing the shape at the top of the form as shown in Fig. 5, I provide a tapered top with notches to provide the operator with a gauge so that the sleeve will be placed in perfect position to be ironed completely up to the cuff line, as clearly shown in Fig. l. The clamps C are conveniently supported on the support arm 1l by `means of springs 12 and 13.

Having thus disclosed the construction of my sleeve ironer, I will now explain its operation. The operator rst applies the right hand sleeve of the shirt to the right hand form, drawing the sleeve down to the gauge mark on the form to register the edge of vthe cuff to the top of the shoe. 'Ihe lower section of the sleeve is now smooth and taut as tensioned by the springs 54 and 60. The operator now takes the upper section of the sleeve and draws it around the form to lay the pleats and tucks smoothly. When this is accomplished she applies the clamp C over the tubes 56 and 51 to securely hold the cu in proper position. It will be appreciated that the arcuate clamp over the cuff and tube eilectively secures the sleeve in proper position. It may be necessary toadjust the cuff after the clamp is first applied, but this may readily be done as will be well understood. The shirt is now lying on the support shelf with the right sleeve applied to the form. 'Ihe operator now depresses the right hand foot lever, locking the sleeve between the right hand buck and shoe, where it will be ironed las she applies the other sleeve in a similar manner. It will thus be observed that one sleeve is beins ironed as the other is applied. By the time the second sleeve is applied to the form and inserted between the buck and shoe, the first sleeve is ready to be removed and thus the operator is almost continuously engaged in applying sleeves while the ironing is being done.

I have already explained that the sleeve is applied to the form as gauged by the top of the' shoe to iron the sleeve completely up to the cuff connecting said vdual shoes and forms, said leverv 4 with the forms, and spring means associated with 60 said lever mechanism to effect reverse movement of the shoes and forms.A

amasleeveironenabaseframadualbuck,

and shoe structure supported rearwardly on said frame, dual sleeve forms pivotally supported on said frame for movement from forward loading to rearward ironing position, each of said'sleeve forms coacting with one of the shoes in ironing position, lever mechanism connecting each of said sleeve forms with the coasting shoe, said lever mechanism for each coacting shoe and sleeve form being operable as a unit by a single actuating member to move the form from forward loadiine. l'. have also explained that the buck is cov- 10 ered with a ne wire cover heated by the buck, irrixg plolsition tobrearward ironing position between and, therefore, the sleeve is being ironed on both t e s oe and uc and then to actuate the shoe sides as Well as eectively ironed in the inside into pressure relationship with the form, and by by the smooth metallic form which quickly picks a. reverse movement to return the form to its forup heat from beth sides, 15 ward position, each said mechanism including From the foregoing description it will readily be shoe, buck and form being arranged and formed appreciated that I have provided a simple, eomto provide clearance for the form between the pact sleeve ironer which effectively irons the buck and shoe when the form is moved. sleeve up to the cud line both inside and out. 5- A Sleeve form comprisingr a plurality 0f rela- Having thus described my invention, I claim:k 20 tively lfit ovrlapping form members ariangei l. In a sleeve ironer, a base frame, dual buc or re a ive ransversesliding movemen an and shoe structure supported rearwardly on said means connecting the members together at one frame, dual sleeve forms pivotally supported on end including telescoped tubular sections each said frame for movement from forward loading pivoted to one of said members, and a spring to rearward ironing position, each of said sleeve 25 housed Within said sections in position to move forms coacting with one of the shoes in ironing the sections apart. position, lever mechanism connecting each of the 6. A sleeve form comprising a plurality of relasleeve forms with the coacting shoe, said lever tively flat overlapping form members arranged mechanism for each coacting shoe and stleeie for relative transverse sliding movement, and fi'iltfreit i .iiilfr 3 Ziielpet'an123i loading position to rearward ironing position bepivoted to one of said members, a spring housed tween the shoe and buck and then to actuate the' within said sections in position to move the sec- ShO 111150 pressure relatOIlShp Wlth the form. tions apart, said tubular sections being adapted 2. In a sleeve 1101181. a base frame, dual bllk 35 to receive a sleeve portion thereover, and a clamp md sho tlrufture fSupported lrwardly ltnald embracing the tubular sections to hold said sleevey rame, l1 S eeVe OImS p V0 y SuppO e Ori por 0n thereon, l said framefor movement from forward loading '7. A sleeve form comprising a plurality of relao rearwarinilrOl'lvirlg1 posiiinheat?1 0f Siairslg tively flat overlapping form members arranged pgixisfasid gsleeve ggrmc; heling-2517121163 and 40 nmlbstivialzisvre lliitegmeilgngorg arranged in 'relation to the shoes to iron the adapted to receive a sleeve cuil thereon, a pair sleeve to the cu line, lever mechanism connecting of tong members' pivoted together and having each 0f the Sleeve forms With the @acting Shoe. i handles on one end thereof and clamping jaws sattvtintinitiStabattinta "n the Preis t if dit f te were a e g arrange or em rac ng sa orm en port on` from forward loading pOSitiOn t0 rearward ironsecure the cuff in place thereon and resilient ing position between the shoe and buck and then means connected with the tong members tending totctuate the shoe into pressure relationship to press the Jaws in clamping relation w13 geaosllgve ironer a base frame `dual buck 50' rafityAgf-lativgleeve frm iiomfpsmg a geud shoe structure supported rearwardly on said arranged for sp'lng iremrelivermtrlerg an frame, dual sleeve forms pivotally supported on sliding movement, the spring urged means consaid frame for movement from `forward loading sisting of a connecting member at the outer end to rearward ironingl msition, lever mechanism 55 of the liorm including telescoped tubular sections each pivoted to one of said members, a spring housed within said sections to move the sections apart and another spring member positioned at the inner end of the form to urge the form members apart, said tubular sections being adapted to receive a sleeve portion thereover, and a clamp 

